Scoring punch takes hit with AHL injuries

STOCKTON - The NHL lockout continues, but the spoils of the situation have disappeared for the Thunder.

Scott Linesburgh

STOCKTON - The NHL lockout continues, but the spoils of the situation have disappeared for the Thunder.

Stockton's leading scorer and newly named ECHL player of the week, Toni Rajala, was one of three forwards who are returning to the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League because of injuries. Rajala and Cameron Abney were transferred Tuesday, and No. 2 scorer Philippe Cornet is expected to go later this week.

The three were among the Thunder players who likely would have been in the AHL if not for the lockout. Defenseman Teigan Zahn also recently returned to Oklahoma City, and the Barons signed free-agent Stockton defenseman Jordan Henry to a tryout contract. Stockton and Oklahoma City are affiliates of the Edmonton Oilers.

Thunder coach Matt Thomas said the Barons have suffered a series of injuries, and he knew changes were coming.

"The lockout is over, at least for us. These are the guys we expected to lose when it ended," Thomas said. "When it does end, a lot of teams will go through this. And it does hurt to lose three good forwards in a group like this, but we think we have the people to step in and play well."

Thomas said forwards Yannick Riendeau and Gabriel Levesque will get more playing time, and Jesse Fratkin is coming off the 21-day injured-reserve list when the Thunder (10-3-1) hosts Bakersfield at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stockton Arena.

Rajala, a 21-year-old right wing, has a league-best 11-game points streak and teamed with left wing Cornet and center Eric Hunter to form the Thunder's most productive line. Rajala had 11 points (five goals, six assists) in four games last week to earn the player of the week honors. On Nov. 12, he tied the team record with a five-point effort in a 9-6 win in Utah and has 23 points in 14 games.

Cornet, 22, was an AHL All-Star with Oklahoma City last season but started the season in Stockton because the Barons had to make room for several NHL players. He has 19 points in 14 games. Abney, 21, has split time between Stockton and Oklahoma City.

With Rajala and Cornet off the roster, right wing Harrison Reed is the active points leader with 14 points in 14 games.